Temporary track for mine-cars



L. M. FOREMAN. TEMPORARY TRACK FOR- MINE CARS.

I APPLICATION FILED DEC. 3|, I9I9. 1,342,281 Pa ented June 1, 1920.

2 SHEEIS SHEEI I.

Lr M. FOBEMAN. TEMPORARY TRACK FOR MINE CARS.

APPLICATION FILED DECHBI, 1919. 1,342,281.

Patented June 1, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a UNITED STATES LLOYD M. FCLREM AN, 0F BELVA, WEST VIRGINIA.

TEMPORARY TRACK FOR MINE-CARS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented June 1, 1920.

I Application filed December 31, 1919. 1 Serial No. 348,519.

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LLOYD M. Fonnimma citizen of the United States of America, residing at Belva, in the county of Nichols and State of West Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Temporary Tracks for Mine-Cars, of which the follow ing is a specification.

The object of the invention is to providea temporary or portable track suitable for use in connection with cars such as those used in coal and other mines for the transportation of the product of the mine, and adapted by reason of its construction to be prepared in sections outside of the mine and readily laid with its sections in connected relation with the minimum expenditure of effort and time and under such conditions as to permit of removal or of replacement to suit the progress of the work without involving the employment of labor other than that which can be found ordinarily in'th'e mine in connection with the ordinary work thereof, and to this end the invention consists in a construction and com binationof parts of which a preferred embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a erspective view of a section of track of whic h the rails consist of wooden beams or timbers.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the same.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a similar track wherein the rails are of metal corresponding with those employed in connection with light traflic railroads.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the same showing a convenient form of transverse tie or connection between the rails.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the tie shown in Fig. 4.- prior to theadjustment of its elements to secure the desired gage.

In the form of track illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the rails 10 consist of timbers of the desired cross-sectional dimensions to give a substantial support for the coal-carrying or other cars which are intended to traverse the same, each section of track, of which one is shownin Fig. 1, havingits rail members consisting of a plurality of elements arranged terminally in abutting relation and secured by pliable couplings 11 consisting of heavy wire or rods terminally secured to the elements of the rail in intersecting relation with the joint between the ends of said elements and either in crossing or parallel relation with each other as indicated in the drawing to the end that the elements of the tracksection or of the rails constituting the track section may be folded upon each other into substantially parallel relation to facilitate transportation or movement into and out of the mine, it. being the purpose to prepare the track sections exteriorly of the mine and thus leave nothing to be done after carrying the sections into the mine but to extend the same to join the approximate extremities of adjacent sections to produce a continuous track of the required length.

Transversely the rails are connected at the required gage to suit that of the cars to traverse the same by flexible tie members 12 also consisting of heavy wire or rod extending under the rail elements and terminally embedded asshown at 13 in Fig. 2, in the material of the timbers to the end that if desired the track section may be rolled transversely, although under ordinary conditions it is sufficient, in order to facilitate transportation to provide for the longitudinal folding at the joints between the adjacent extremities of adjoining rail elements.

Asa means of additional security staples or clips It may be engaged with the transverse tie members and driven into the rail timbers from below as indicated in Fig. 2, and the extremities of the rails of each section are provided with complemental couplings consisting for example, of the dovetailed elements 15 and 16, so that in connecting the extremities of adjoining sections the head 15 at the end of one rail section may be dropped into the socket 16 of the adjacent rail section to provide against relative displacement and secure a continuous track for the support of the cars.

In the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive the rail members 17 of each track section are of metal, corresponding. substantially in cross-sectional contour with those ordinarily employed in connection'with railroad tracks, the extremities of the rail members of adjoining sections being connected by fish plates 18 held in place as ordinarily by bolts 19 orequivalent fastening means which may be readily detached to permit of the independent movement of the track sections.

The rail members constituting each track section are connected by transverse tie memwhich will result in the twisting of the two strands around each other with the result of drawing of the rails at their connection toward each other. This twisting is continued until the proper gage is reached which may be determined by the employment of any conventional form of gage to determine when the two rails have been brought close enough together. Obviously when the proper gage has been reached the twisted tie member Will maintain the rails against lateral displacement.

In order to facilitate the transportation or movement of a track constructed as shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive the sections may be disconnected at the joints secured by the fish plates 18, as described in reference to the track shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or if preferred, in additionthereto the rail members constituting each section may be separated by disconnecting the tie elements 22 therefrom, if thisform of tie is em loyed, or the rail members may be folde or rolled transversely by bending the transverse tie members to adapt the sections to occupy the minimum space and at the same time permit of the joining ofthe elements into track sections before introducing the same into the mine to the end that, the completion of the track may be accomplished with the minimumeffort and expenditure of time and to the furtherend that extensions of the track from time to time asv the work in the mine proceeds, may be made by preparing outside and successively introducing the sections to add to those which have already been laid.

What is claimed is: v

1. A portable or temporary track for mine cars consisting of sections each of whichv tions each of which consists of rail members provided with terminal complemental couplin 'elementsand'transverse pliable tie mem ers. j I

4. A portable 'or temporary track for mine cars consisting of terminally separable sections each consisting of rail members comprising terminally abutting elements connected in series by flexible means disposed in intersecting relation with the joints between said elements, said rail members being connected transversely by flexible tie members having terminal engagement with said rail members.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

LLOYD M. FOREMAN. 

